2018 Heisman Trophy: How did Rutgers beat reporter Josh Newman vote?

Long Branch Coach Dan George tries to motivate his team to a championship with one last rousing speech
Asbury Park Press

Heisman Trophy finalists, from left, Dwayne Haskins, from Ohio State, Kyler Murray, of Oklahoma, and Tua Tagovailoa, from Alabama, pose with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Ralph Russo)(Photo: The Associated Press)

When I was in college, I used to joke around with my friends that it would be cool to one day be able to vote for the Heisman Trophy.

That stopped being a joke in 2014 when I first had the privilege of voting. Now, voting for the fifth time, it remains a privilege, and it remains among the coolest things I get to do. Also, not for nothing, it is a nice talking point at social gatherings. Trust me.

Anyway, another Heisman Trophy ceremony has come and gone. Below is my three-player ballot. Below that is an explanation as to why I voted the way I did.

1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

2. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

3. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

For a long time, this felt like a foregone conclusion. Tagovailoa, the hero of last season's College Football Playoff National Championship, put up big numbers all season as the best player on the best team.

Tagovailoa's numbers are gigantic, throwing for 3,353 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, none of which came before Nov. 3. Tagovailoa's quarterback rating of 202.3 was second nationally only to Murray, who had more yards, touchdowns, and a higher completion percentage, but that can be explained.

Comparing how many attempts each player had seems negligible, even with Oklahoma incorporating elements of the Air Raid in its offense. The fact Tagovailoa sat out a handful of fourth quarters with Alabama cruising should not be a strike against him.

The fact Tagovailoa played poorly in the SEC championship game, going 10-for-25 for 164 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, plus Murray going off in the Big 12 title game for 379 yards and three touchdowns, seemed to sway at least some voters, but one game should not overshadow the other 12 Tagvailoa started and won for the Crimson Tide. He felt like the pick weeks ago, and I never wavered.

The fact it took this long to bring up Haskins feels unfair, but someone has to finish third. In a different year, 4,580 yards, 47 touchdowns against 8 interceptions, a one-loss Big Ten championship would be enough for the Heisman, but not this year.